It's Two Down And One To Go For South Sumter

October 18, 1985|By Joe Williams of The Sentinel Staff

EUSTIS — Bushnell South Sumter Coach Inman Sherman knew the success or failure of his team would hinge on a three-game span, which concludes tonight when the Raiders face Eustis High School in the Panther Den at 8.

South Sumter (3-1, 2-0) is riding the crest of a three-game winning streak. It also is concluding the toughest part of its schedule. The Raiders beat Mount Dora, then the sixth-ranked team (Class AA) in the state, 8-6, two weeks ago and dropped Class AAA power Brooksville Hernando, 13-0, last week.

The Eustis-South Sumter game is one of four Class AA, District 5 matchups for teams from Lake and Sumter counties tonight. Other AA-5 games are Clermont (0-5, 0-2) at Mount Dora (3-1, 2-1); Tavares (1-3, 0-2) at Umatilla (1-3, 1-2) and Groveland (0-4, 0-2) at Wildwood (4-0, 2-0). In a Class AAA, District 5 game, Leesburg (1-4, 0-2) is at Titusville Astronaut (3-2, 2-0).

''We looked at these three games as the make-or-break part of the season,'' Sherman said. ''We felt if we came out of these three games in good shape, we'd be on our way to a pretty good season.

''If we can play this third game of the span like we did the first two, I'll be happy.''

Eustis (2-3, 1-1) is a team that is capable of playing better than its record indicates. Sherman said the Panthers could easily be 4-1 with a couple of breaks. Two of Eustis' losses were by 7-6 scores.

A lot has happened to the Eustis football program in the last few weeks. Coach Steve Brown has been suspended for misconduct towards a student, and junior varsity coach Warren Delmolino was fired last week for intentionally using an ineligible player.

Acting head coach Craig Cosden has had to keep the players' minds on getting ready for the Raiders.

''Their defense is very, very good,'' Cosden said. ''They come hard and penetrate. They put eight men on the line and say, 'you can't run against us.' ''On offense, they have a hard-hitting fullback who runs the ball very well. Their I-back runs a 4.4 second 40. He's through the hole before your defense sees him. So we will have to be very quick on defense.''

Cosden was afraid his team might lose three players to academic eligibility earlier in the week, but as of Thursday afternoon, he said it looked like two of those players would remain eligible. He hadn't received a report on the third.

''We've been putting more emphasis on our passing game,'' Cosden said. ''We are not where we'd like to be. We have been dropping passes and we've been using some poor judgment. We've worked on the technical end. Quarterback Earl Young has been throwing off his heels, and receivers have been taking their eyes off the ball and looking up field.

''We need to be catching the ball, instead of wearing out our shoulder pads with balls bouncing off them.''

South Sumter's defense has been the key to its success. The Raiders have shut out two opponents -- Hernando and Tavares -- and is surrendering an average of only four points a game. The Raiders' offense has been less impressive, scoring just 10.5 points a game.

''I thought we had the capabilities to have a good season,'' Sherman said. ''I don't think we got the credit that we deserved for the district. I still don't think we are getting a lot of credit for the Mount Dora win because people are saying they gave us the game. But after beating Hernando, and if we beat Eustis, maybe people will give us some credit.''

James Lewis, the lightning quick tailback/defensive back, who missed the first three games of the season because of academic problems, has been lost for the season with a knee injury.

Eustis wide receiver John Lancaster, who sustained a deep thigh bruise in the first game of the season, was used sparingly in last week's 24-8 loss to Daytona Beach Father Lopez but could be used more this week. Lancaster only is about 85 percent recovered, Cosden said.

''He's still hobbled by his leg,'' Cosden said. ''We're trying to break him in slowly. He needs some game experience again. It will take some time for him to develop.''